Friday, October 31, 2008

Do You Have to Have Breath Control as a Singer?

By Elizabeth Schohl

Can you picture a singer getting short of breath while singing in public with a very popular song? This is every singer's nightmare, and can be avoided. There is something that can be done about the issue of breath support.

One of the most important aspects of singing that ought to be taken into consideration by any singer is breathing techniques. Proper voice control is impossible without proper breathing exercises, which allow the singer to retain and modulate his breath for longer periods of time. This prevents choking of breath in the middle of a song and allows the singer to produce a powerful, well-modulated performance.

The key to proper voice modulation through breathing techniques is Diaphragmatic Breathing (also called deep breathing or belly breathing or abdominal breathing.) This involves breathing deep by flexing ones diaphragm instead of the comparatively shallow breathing, by flexing the rib cage. This is considered generally to be a healthier way of breathing since it involves fuller ingestion of oxygen.

If you practice good breath support you should be able to breathe deeply, which is important in singing. You need to be fully calm and hold no tension in your body while you attempt the breathing exercises. Don't wear tight-fitting clothing such as belts, skirts, ties, slacks, jeans as these will restrict circulation and air flow from the lungs.

Note that the jaws are not tightened, the hands are not clenched, and the legs are relaxed. It is important that the body is in an erect position but is comfortable and is not arched in any way. You want to feel naturally comfortable, yet looking alert and upright so you're ready to sing.

When you have you hand on the chest and stomach, you will be able to observe the enlargement of them. You can use some breath support with your breathing in and out and note where the body is enlarging. When and if the rib cage is expanding, think about breathing from the stomach.

When deep breathing occurs, exhaling is far more significant that inhaling, as a result the singer must exhale very slowly. Oddly enough, panting exercises can aid the breath support as a type of breathing exercise. When you pant or take fast gasping breaths such as five breaths at a time, you will feel the diaphragm exert itself.

Constant practice makes deep breathing easy and natural, so that the singer does it unconsciously, like a conditioned reflex action. This enables proper modulation and exhalation of breath during a song and helps in relaxing the singer, thus making the song better. However, breath control comes gradually with long practice and therefore cannot be expected to work wonders overnight. - 15485

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